Feudalism Japan Europe Comparison Heian Japan The Emperor

Feudalism Japan & Europe Comparison

Heian Japan • The Emperor became a symbolic ruler • Heian aristocrats ruled through political stealth & artistic style • Japan became a hotpot of doubledealing and intrigue

Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing and Flowering (pre – feudalism) • Chinese religion, philosophy and language greatly impacted early Japanese society. The lower classes were more in favor of borrowing from the Chinese than were the upper classes. 1. Chinese writing. 2. Chinese artistic styles. 3. Buddhism [in the form of ZEN]. 4. BUT, not the Chinese civil service system!

Tea ceremonies & flowers! • Tea Ceremony was part of Wabi, meaning quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste • Began with Zen Buddhists

Lady Murasaki Shikibu The Tale of Genji perhaps the world’s first novel She contributed much to the Japanese script known as katakana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

Noh plays • Noh plays were religious, historical and romantic. • They had male actors and a chorus.

Zen Buddhism • A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China. • It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and selfdiscipline. • Inspired art & drama

Development of feudalism (Europe and Japan) • What is Feudalism? • A decentralized social and political order formed for reasons of protection. • Feudalism is defined by land ownership Serfs in Europe paying their lord.

Origins of European Feudalism • After fall of Roman Empire – no unifying force • Kings are unable to defend their lands, lands of their nobles • Nobles had to find way to defend own lands

Origins of European Feudalism Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) • French “King” - won the Battle of Tours in 732, -saved Europe from the Islamic expansionism that had conquered Iberia. • Brilliant general, -forefather of western heavy cavalry, chivalry, founder of the Carolingian Empire (named after him), catalyst for the feudal system

Charles Martel and the Franks defeat the Arab Invaders at Poitiers

Origins of European Feudalism Charlemagne (~742 -814) § § • • • (Charles the Great) Attempts to rebuild “Roman” Empire Revives art and culture Saves the Pope (Leo III) -rewarded with the title “Holy Roman Emperor” (Power shift from Constantinople to Northern Europe) Reforms: monetary, governmental, military, cultural, educational and ecclesiastical (outlaws “whoring, drunkenness, and covetousness” among the nuns and converted the Saxons. ) After his death roads degrade and villas turn to castles.

Charlemagne Note the symbolism in this painting

Origins of Japanese Feudalism • After the end of the Heian period the power of the emperor declined • Rugged terrain made central control difficult • Japan saw the rise of various military clans. • Conflicts between these clans turned into civil war • A society led by samurai clans under the political rule of the shogun emerged

Structure of European Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. King Land - Fief Lord Land - Fief Protection Knight Peasant Loyalty Europe: Lord Knight Peasant Loyalty Knight Peasant Food Peasant

I have manors I have debt hate I have fiefs you I have Disease

Structure of Japanese Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service. Japan: Shogun Land - Shoen Protection Daimyo Samurai Peasant Loyalty Samurai Peasant Food Peasant

The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society

Who is really in control? Europe Japan • Pope (Catholic • Emperor holds the Church!!!) is head of highest rank, but no Roman Catholic real power. Church -Head of Shinto • Early popes seen as religion and “revered. ” spiritual leaders • Shogun REALLY in • During Middle charge Ages, they became powerful political figures

Lords in Europe • The king would give out grants of land to his most important noblemen (barons and bishops), • A lord granted land (a fief) to his vassals. • Vassal would provide military service to the lord. Land for loyalty is the basis of feudalism. • The vassal pays homage and. Roland swears fealty to swears fealty Charlemagne

Daimyo in Japan • Shoguns appoint loyal Daimyo to be local administrators: • Daimyo are wealthy landlords who are: Judges, tax collectors, military leaders and are in charge of road construction and maintenance.

Daimyo Samurai

Knights in Europe • Had a duty to learn how to fight and so serve their liege Lord according to the Code of Chivalry • Weapon practice included twohanded sword, battle axe, mace, dagger and lance. • Expected to guard a castle and support his liege lord in Medieval warfare • Granted land with serfs to tend it • To become a knight took years of

Samurai in Japan • Samurai were warriors granted position and land in exchange for military service. (also rice) • Duty to maintain peace in the provinces • lived by an honor code called Bushido • would rather commit suicide than live without honor.

Code of Chivalry * Justice * Loyalty * Defense * Courage * Faith * Humility * Nobility

Code of Bushido * Fidelity * Politeness * Virility * Simplicity

Seppuku: Ritual Suicide It is honorable to die in this way. Kaishaku – his “seconds”

Ninjas –Just For Fun • appeared in 14 th century • roles included sabotage, espionage & assassination • cause social chaos • At least one ninja academy for girls http: //www. theonion. com/video/ninja-parade-slips-through-town-unnoticed-onceaga, 14181/

Manorialism in Europe • the economic portion of feudalism • life was centered on the lord’s manor • included the village, church, farm land mill. • involved a hierarchy of reciprocal obligations that exchanged labor or rents for access to land. • encompassed the political relations between the Lord of the Manor and his peasants

The Reciprocal obligations of manorialism • Peasants paid the lord of the manor certain dues in return for the use of his land • The Lord of the Manor was expected to provide protection for his peasants • He also provided 'Banalities‘ – use of oven & mill • Lord had judicial power and could gain revenue by the payment of fines • Lord could claim the goods of a person who died on their lands and had no

Feudal Japanese Economics • Japan was an agricultural society based on the production of rice. Terraces were created to increase the amount of arable land. • There was little trade; it was mostly local with few or no contacts with Korea or China.

Commoners in Japan Farmer with Hoe (Ivory) Farmer’s wife Noble occupation • Japanese peasants were reduced to the status of serfs. • They were bound to the land treated as property. • made up 75% of the population. • not allowed to ride a horse or carry a sword. • Social Mobility: In times of war, a peasant who fought well could rise in status in the society.

Europe Mostly Isolated in Feudalism • Little long distance trade • Northern Hanseatic League • Education declined - controlled by Church • Art and architecture less sophisticated • Christianity spreads to Scandinavia and Baltic regions • Islam seen as a threat to Europe

Threats to Japan: Mongol attempted invasions of Japan Kublai Khan sends two invasion forces • 4, 400 ships and 140, 000 men • kamikaze winds stop them. • Mongols lose up to 75% of men

Threats in Europe: • Vikings • Seamen and warriors • Why migrate • Technology • Convert to Christianity • Places of settlement • Magyars • Muslims

Castles in Europe • castles helped a king or a vassal defend the land around • provided homes for the nobles and their families and servants. • outer walls could be up to 33 feet thick • by 1500, became much less important (cannons invented)

Castles in Japan • In 12 th and 13 th centuries castles were built by Samurai and Daimyo. • Built mostly of wood, they were easily destroyed in sieges.

Comparative thesis st (1 nd 2 Compare the & rd th period social, 3 & 5 period economic, 6 th &7 th period political) aspects of the feudal systems of Japan and Europe between 1000 and 1450